Taking center stage

Peking Opera relies particularly on imitation, exaggeration and symbolism. While props play a rather subordinate role, the pantomimic gestures, accentuated by singing and acrobatics, are at the forefront.

After an overwhelmingly successful tour with the production Red Cliff by the National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing, a large-scale tour in Europe will be presented this month. This time, an ensemble of the Peking Opera Theater Company of Beijing performs in Germany and Italy.

The ensemble, which enjoys top status in the Chinese performing arts scene, introduces the traditional pieces of Peking Opera within a Peking Opera Festival, and the characteristics of the genre will be especially highlighted.

This large-scale Peking Opera tour in Europe includes classics such as Lu Bu and Diao Chan, At the Cross Roads, Autumn River, The Imperial Concubine Gets Tips, and Presenting a Pearl on Rainbow Bridge.

Date: Until Sept 26

Venue: Reithalle Munchen, Munich

Website: www.pekingopera.eu

(China Daily 09/20/2012 page31)